“Coby, you have to be thankful,” is the line of conversation between my two grandsons that caught my attention. I listened as Domonic, the 5 year old, was attempting to teach his 3 year old brother a profound life lesson.

They were negotiating who should play with which toy. Domonic’s plan was to use the “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo” rhyme to determine who should get the more desirable one. But before he used this as the solution to their disagreement, he coached his little brother, saying, “Coby, if you get the larger toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you. If you get the smaller toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you.”  However well-meaning Domonic was, Coby did not appreciate the wisdom offered by his brother that day, but maintained, “I want this one.”

God has some similar advice for us. In fact, it is a command. In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul urges his readers, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” Thankful words come easily in the moments when we get what we want.   It is a little more challenging in the difficult moments to respond with gratitude.

Being thankful in all situations is a step of faith. It is choosing to believe, in spite of the circumstances we’re facing, that God is wise, loving and has a good plan for us. When I make an attitude adjustment and choose to say “thank you” in the difficult moments, it moves my focus from one of complaining, at least in my heart, to anticipation of what God will do and how the circumstances will fit into God’s bigger plan.

“And we know that all thing work together for good to those who love God and are called for his purpose.”     Romans 8:28

by Mike Woodard
used by permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

• Be Calm. Be Strong. Be Thankful!
• A Thankful Man Is a Humble Man
• I am Thankful for…

The post Thankfulness (Lessons from a 5 Year Old) appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Oh LORD God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord.” Psalm 89:8

I am extremely grateful for our God’s magnificent creation. I never cease to be amazed at the thousands of varieties of birds, flowers, trees, leaves, rocks and plants.  I love gazing at different mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada in all their grandeur or the mountains of California and Arizona with their varying shadows.  I love quiet streams; gushing waterfalls; rivers; lakes; and oceans. I am continually amazed at the way God controls the oceans and how he allows the tides to come inland just so far and then it has to retreat again.

We read in Isaiah 42: 12
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales.”

When I consider that all the water in the world can fit in God’s hand, I know he is a BIG God.

My job keeps me in front of a computer for most of the day and my husband, Marvin, has made a wonderful garden for me just outside my office window.  I get to enjoy rhododendrons, hydrangea, azaleas, and many other flowers while I am working. He has also placed the bird feeder within my view.

One morning, last winter, after a heavy snowfall, I filled up the bird feeder and the birds were so happy. They proceeded to put on a real show for me – flitting from one branch to another and then back to the feeder.

Many different birds visit us and although I love them all humming birds have always made me stop what I am doing to watch them. They are amazing:

They fly forward, backward, shift sideways, stop in midair.
They can beat their wings 60 to 200 times per second.
They lap nectar with their tongues (some say that their tongue is like a straw).
They can fly up to 60 miles an hour.
They live 5 -6 years in the wild.
They are the smallest bird in the world.
They consume, on average, half their weight in sugar each day.
Some of them migrate 600 miles to a warmer climate.

When I see these little birds with their magnificent iridescent colors, I am reminded of how wonderful and majestic and amazing our God is. And because He has created so many wonders for us to enjoy here on earth, I know they are but a taste of what He has in store for us in heaven.  For this I am so thankful.

Father, I am so thankful for the wonders of your creation. Thank you that you didn’t create the world in black and white or without sounds and smells. I love you God, because you are so great and so kind. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• Revel in Creation
• A Prayer of Praise for God’s Creation
• A Heart of Thankfulness

Follow Us On:  Facebook  • Twitter  •  Instagram  • Pinterest

The post I’m Thankful For appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Becky had often heard the little saying, “have an attitude of gratitude“, and for the most part she did. She could count her blessings and generally found a thankful spirit.

But this – there was no thankfulness in this! Her “attitude of gratitude” could find nothing for which to be thankful for. If she were not careful her heart could slip into despair and yes, even bitterness.

She didn’t feel like reading her Bible but she picked it up and flipped through it. Her eyes fell on a familiar verse she had highlighted with:

“In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”.
1 Thessalonians 6:18

It seemed to hit her with new clarity. It said “in everything” not “for everything“. She pondered the thought. If she could not be thankful for this particular circumstance, what did it mean to be thankful in it?

When we ask sincere questions as we grow in our faith, with hearts hungry to understand God’s ways, the Holy Spirit shows us the answer.

Thoughts tumbled in her mind that  she could be thankful for God’s faithfulness to her. As she recalled times past when life seemed out of control, she recalled God’s steadying hand on her and how His strength had carried her in difficult times.
(Matthew 11:28)

She could be thankful that God promised to work things out for good, yes; she had seen His hand bring good out of the most troubling things. (Romans 8:28)

With fresh realization her heart grew a bit lighter as she saw what God meant – be thankful in her circumstance because she knew the God who was bigger than any problem and He would be faithful to help her, His child.

Prayer & reflection:

Father God, I truly am thankful for my blessings. But it is quite another thing to be thankful in the hard times and with the unanswered questions of life. Thank you for understanding it is not easy for me. Thank you for showing me that when I can’t be thankful for the hard stuff, You remind me to just be thankful in the hard stuff – for it is in the hard stuff where Your character of faithfulness will be proven over and over to me. Thank you for the confidence that You will see me through. Help me to lean hard on Your strength, and wisdom and care. Thank you that You will build a track record in my life through Your faithfulness. You enable me to be thankful in hard times because You are my God and You can be trusted with my life – even in the hard stuff! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• I am Thanking You right NOW

• I Love You, Jesus

•  Salvation Explained

Follow Us On:  Facebook  • Twitter  •  Instagram  •  Pinterest

The post More than Gratitude appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Gratitude gets us through the hard stuff!

To reflect on your blessings is to rehearse God’s accomplishments. To rehearse God’s accomplishments is to discover his heart! To discover his heart is to discover not just good gifts but the Good Giver. Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. The apostle Paul said,

“Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”  (Ephesians 5:20 NLT).

The surest path out of a slump is marked by the road sign, Thank you. But what of the disastrous days? Grateful then? Jesus was. “On the night when he was betrayed,” Scriptures says,

“the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it” (1 Corinthians 11:23-24 NLT).

How often do you see the words betrayed and thanks in the same sentence—much less in the same heart? Give thanks…and see what happens.

By Max Lucado
Used by permission.

From: God is With You Every Day
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

Further Reading

•   I am Thankful for…

•  Thanking Abundantly

•  Salvation Explained

SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL: FOLLOW THIS LINK

The post Gratitude appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Life is full of challenges and some of you are in the midst of one right now. Maybe like the Israelites in Psalm 107 you’ve gone from one difficult period to another. They were hungry and thirsty wanderers in the desert, prisoners in chains, sailors reeling in terror at the furious storm…each time they cried out to the Lord and He saved them. Remembering this, they are encouraged to “give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.”

We are encouraged to give thanks in everything, not for everything. Some things are plain evil and It wouldn’t be realistic to give thanks for them. But we can give thanks “in” them. How?

Thank you, Jesus, that you know all about this.

Thank you, that  you are with me in this.

Thank you that you are holding my hand as we   walk through it together.

Thank you that you are acting in love even now “for your love endures forever”

I’ve found that as I look back on that difficult time, I marvel how God has lovingly brought me through it. And he will do the same for you.

Father, I can thank you in everything for your plans for me are plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• I am Thankful for…

•  I am Thanking You right NOW

•  Salvation Explained

Follow Us On:  Facebook  • Twitter  •  Instagram  •  Pinterest

The post Give Thanks in All Circumstances? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

Today, instead of looking at what’s going wrong in your life, find the good. Having a  grateful attitude can turn your lives around. What are you grateful for?

Lord, teach us to focus more on the great things you are doing in our lives and not just the things that are going wrong. There is so much that You are doing in our lives that are good. Help us to see the good and be grateful. In Jesus name, Amen

Grace and Peace,

By Mary Pinckney
used by permission

The post It’s All about Your Focus appeared first on Thoughts About God.

‘Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God.� Philippians 2:6 (NLT)

Need more patience?  Drink from the patience of God.  (2 Peter 3:9)
 
Is generosity an elusive virtue?   Then consider how generous God has been with you (Romans 5:8).

Having trouble putting up with ungrateful relatives or cranky neighbors? God puts up with you when you act the same.  “He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35 NIV).
 
Can’t we love like this?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog/2009/04/20/ml_cling/

************************************************************
Max Lucado
From: Everyday Blessings
Copyright (J. Countryman, 2004)
Used by permission
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://www.maxlucado.com/about/

The post Cling to His Rights appeared first on Thoughts About God.